Skip to content
CtrlKFind a shortcut

Excel Sort Shortcut

ExcelA to Z and Z to ACustom sortChecked 2 Nov 2026

Sort A to Z

AltASA

Press one after another

Sort Z to A

AltASD

Sort dialog

AltASS

Filter menu sort

AltDown

On a filtered header, then S

The Excel sort shortcut for ascending order is Alt, then A, then S, then A: click any cell in the column you want to sort by and press the keys one after another. The whole table is sorted A to Z, or smallest to largest, keeping each row together. Alt, then A, then S, then D sorts Z to A.

To sort by more than one column, such as by city and then by name, open the Sort dialog with Alt, then A, then S, then S. Filter dropdowns offer sorting too, opened with Alt + Down on a header.

Quick facts

  • Sort A to Z

    Alt, then A, then S, then A

  • Sort Z to A

    Alt, then A, then S, then D

  • Sort dialog

    Alt, then A, then S, then S

  • Home tab sort A to Z

    Alt, then H, then S, then S

  • Filter dropdown

    Alt + Down

  • Turn on filters

    Ctrl + Shift + L

Excel sort shortcut keys

Sorting from the keyboard
KeysSorts
Alt, then A, then S, then AA to Z, smallest to largest, oldest to newest
Alt, then A, then S, then DZ to A, largest to smallest, newest to oldest
Alt, then A, then S, then SOpens the Sort dialog for several levels
Alt, then H, then S, then SA to Z from the Home tab
Alt, then H, then S, then OZ to A from the Home tab
Alt, then H, then S, then UCustom Sort from the Home tab

The Data tab keys (Alt, A) and Home tab keys (Alt, H) do the same thing; use whichever you remember.

Sort by several columns

  1. Click inside the table and press Alt, then A, then S, then S.
  2. Tick My data has headers if the first row holds titles.
  3. Choose the first column under Sort by, and the order.
  4. Click Add Level for the next column, such as Name within City.
  5. Press Enter to sort.

Levels are applied top to bottom. The same dialog sorts by cell colour, font colour or icon, and the Options button lets you sort left to right across columns instead of rows.

Sort shortcut Excel users rely on: filter dropdowns

Turn on filters with Ctrl + Shift + L, select a header cell, press Alt + Down to open its menu, then S for Sort A to Z or O for Sort Z to A. Filter buttons stay visible, so the next sort is quicker, and they show a small arrow on the sorted column. Filtering itself is explained in Excel filter shortcut.

Before a big sort, add a column with serial numbers 1, 2, 3. Sorting by that column later restores the original order.

Keep rows together and sort with a formula

Mixing up rows happens when only one column is selected and you choose Continue with the current selection. Click a single cell instead, so Excel detects the whole table. Converting the range to a table with Ctrl + T makes this automatic. In Excel 365, the SORT function returns a sorted copy without touching the original, for example =SORT(A2:C50,3,-1) sorts by the third column, largest first. The data can then feed a report that updates by itself.

When sorting goes wrong

Problems and fixes
ProblemFix
Numbers sort as 1, 10, 2They are stored as text; convert them to numbers
Header row moved into the dataTick My data has headers
Only one column sortedPress Ctrl + Z and sort again from a single cell
Merged cells errorUnmerge cells in the range first
A school office sorts a fee list by class with Alt, then A, then S, then S, adding a second level for roll number. Each class then prints as a neat block for the class teacher.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Excel sort shortcut?
Alt, then A, then S, then A for A to Z and Alt, then A, then S, then D for Z to A.
How do I open the Sort dialog?
Alt, then A, then S, then S.
How do I sort by two columns?

Use the Sort dialog and click Add Level.

Why are my numbers sorting wrongly?

They are stored as text. Convert them to numbers first.

How do I undo a sort?
Ctrl + Z, or sort by a serial number column.
Is there a sort function in Excel?

Yes. =SORT returns a sorted copy in Excel 365.